A bunch of people have observed that the Northern Lights in Iceland is the “new” Cherry Blossoms in Japan. That is, there is a boom in the number of Filipinos going there. For a time, our Facebook feed was all about the the elusive pink flowers, but I guess that has already become commonplace, and now we’re going one level up and chasing after nature’s illuminations. Cherry Blossoms have become ordinary. But isn’t it weird how the Japanese, who should be the most accustomed to this flora, if any, still find it special? Special enough to throw viewing parties and to crowd a park just to bask in its presence. We have to remember that special is not exclusive to what is unusual. The everyday can be special. Beauty doesn’t diminish just because we are regularly exposed to it; it’s our perspective that changes – or rather, controls the landscape. But if you have the chance to explore new terrain, do it too! Just don’t beat yourself up if you can’t, because wander is meaningless without wonder. Try to live each day with fresh eyes and allow this world to blow you away.

Dubbed as the most boring city in Japan - Google's findings, not mine! - one goes to Nagoya without any expectation. It's not as modern as Tokyo, nor as traditional as Kyoto. We arrived late in the afternoon, with only about 3 hours to spare before the last train to Osaka. We saw the Nagoya TV Tower from a far, but other than that, we didn't get to see much. We did, however, have a lovely dinner at one of the most charming cafes I've ever stumbled upon - Air Cafe.

Osaka was our base for the first part of our Japan 2016 trip. Sadly, it being a base meant we spent more time away than there. Nonetheless, it did make an impression and I would definitely be back to explore.

The streets of Tokyo were nearing empty. Or maybe just in this stretch from Haneda to Shinagawa. I watch the storefronts go by, mostly convenience stores I would find myself in over the next few days, over the next few cities. I think to myself, so this is Japan. And it was, and it wasn’t just.

@heyrocketgirl

Hi, I’m Reg!

A twentysomething optimistic idealist passionate about LIFE and everything that it has to offer. An avid traveler, a major foodie, a voracious bookworm, and a (sometimes too) introspective ENFP, heyrocketgirl is a collection of moments and musings as I try to live out my best possible life. More?